The Slavers : 223 



disagreeable and risky part of the voyage was that between the West 

 African port and the port in the West Indies, and on account of its 

 position in the cycle this became known as "The Middle Passage." 

 In the early days of the slave trade, the Middle Passage was made 

 without too much difficulty and with what might be regarded as nor- 

 mal difficulties and risks. As we have already noted, for a long time 

 the general efforts to suppress the trade merely increased its severity. 



At any time, however, the Middle Passage was a gruesome affair. 

 The hold of the vessel was completely cleaned out and tables or 

 benches were erected as close together as possible running the full 

 length of the vessel. Bolts and shackles were fitted into the sides of 

 the vessels and at convenient places along the tables. The slaves were 

 brought aboard the ship chained together in long lines. Still in long 

 lines, they were made to lie down upon the benches and chained into 

 place. Here they remained through most of the voyage. Occasion- 

 ally one of the chains would be brought on deck for light or air and 

 for inspection, but if the weather was bad or difficulties arose these 

 occasions were infrequent. As the voyage progressed conditions in 

 the hold became more noisome and the conditions of the slaves dete- 

 riorated. 



One of the risks referred to was the possibility that one of the 

 slaves might escape from his shackles and then be able to free some 

 of his fellows with resultant riot and bloodshed. 



The great risk was that of infection and disease. No proper care 

 or medical attention was given to the slaves. Anyone, however, who 

 is familiar with naval history will understand that medical and sur- 

 gical care at sea was either lacking or extremely crude even as applied 

 to the white crews and white officers of naval vessels. 



The only precaution taken in the case of the slaves was that of an 

 occasional inspection made by the captain or mates who weeded out 

 slaves who in their judgment showed signs of illness. 



These were immediately thrown overboard. Some form of sickness 

 usually developed in the course of the voyage and epidemics were 

 frequent. 



The resulting loss of an important part of the cargo was one of 

 the inherent risks of the trade. It accounted in part for the steady 

 increase in the costs of slaves. Here again we might suppose that the 

 risks involved in loss of part of the cargo through sickness would 

 have led the operators of the vessels to provide better conditions for 

 the crew, but such a conclusion was not in the spirit of the times. 

 On the contrary, the slavers argued that because they were likely to 



